UCLA Bruins Make WNBA Draft History With Four First-Round Selections

The 2026 WNBA draft is set to be a UCLA celebration. Four members of the Bruins' national championship-winning squad are expected to be selected in the first round alone, a remarkable achievement that underscores the program's transformation into one of the premier talent factories in women's college basketball.

Kiki Rice, a 5-foot-11 guard, leads the UCLA contingent and is projected to go fifth overall to the Chicago Sky. The Sky are in need of a versatile guard who can contribute immediately, especially with Courtney Vandersloot expected to miss the start of the season. Rice brings exactly that — the ability to score, defend, and scrap for loose balls. She was a catalyst throughout UCLA's championship run and could be thrust into meaningful minutes early in her professional career.

Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 center, is next off the board at sixth overall to the brand-new Toronto Tempo franchise. The Tempo are building from scratch and Betts could become the face of their organization. She is nearly pro-ready as a post scorer and has the size to compete immediately against the league's elite bigs. Selecting her gives Toronto an anchor to build around for years to come.

Gabriela Jaquez, a 6-foot forward, is expected to go eighth to the Golden State Valkyries. Jaquez fits the scrappy, team-first identity that Valkyries general manager Vanja Cernivec and head coach Natalie Nakase have established. She can score, rebound, and provides energy off the bench that could translate into some breakout performances at the professional level.

Gianna Kneepkens, a 5-foot-11 guard from Connecticut, rounds out the Bruins' first-round quartet at 15th overall to the Connecticut Sun. Kneepkens is one of the most WNBA-ready prospects in the entire draft class. Her shooting ability is elite, her defensive instincts are solid, and she could step onto a Sun roster in transition and contribute immediately. She projects as someone who could develop into a starter within her first two professional seasons.

Beyond the first round, the UCLA pipeline continues to flow. Angela Dugalic, a 6-foot-4 forward, is projected at 18th overall to Connecticut. Charlisse Leger-Walker, a 5-foot-8 guard, is expected to go 20th overall to the Los Angeles Sparks — a homecoming for the California native who previously starred at Washington State before transferring to Westwood.

This draft haul represents the culmination of years of recruiting excellence and player development under Cori Close. The Bruins entered the season as favorites and delivered a championship, and now four of their foundational pieces are set to begin their professional journeys. For a program that has long chased Connecticut and South Carolina at the top of the women's basketball hierarchy, this draft represents a defining statement.